The Government has already set in motion plans to access a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available.
Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony says Guyana is among the 92 countries eligible for coverage under COVAX, a body of organisations, including the World Health Organization, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and GAVI -The Vaccine Alliance. GAVI’s mission is to ensure equal access to vaccines.
“They have come together and pooled their resources and created this platform and allow people to access vaccines, and they intend to procure two billion doses of vaccines,” Minister Anthony said.
Guyana submitted its application for vaccines more than a month ago, the cost of which will be covered by COVAX, with a substantial sum covered by GAVI.
Therefore, Guyana will not benefit from the European Union down payment for one million doses of vaccines and it is not among the 12 Caribbean countries set to receive through that effort.
Guyana has held discussions with the Government of India, which is working on producing at least one billion doses of vaccines for early next year.
Talks were also held with Russia and Argentina, with the latter committing 250 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccines to countries in South America, once successful testing has been completed.
Dr. Anthony is assuring the public that no vaccine will be used unless it passes through all clinical trials.
